Growing herbs in your home can help you with more than just adding flavor to your meals. There are lots of herbs that can help with common health problems and ailments. Just look for seedlings at any garden store and get started with any of these food cures:

1. Aloe Vera

Plant this stuff in a pot placed in an area that gets full sunshine. Water it well and you’ll soon have a great skin-soothing solution growing in your home. Just break open the thick leaves and apply the gel within to sooth sunburns.

2. Basil

Grow basil in a pot and pull off white flowers as soon as they appear to keep your herbs from tasting bitter. And as a remedy for headaches, just rub crushed leaves on your temples. You can even pour boiling water over basil and let cool a bit for a pain-relieving foot bath.

3. Lemon Balm

Grow this fast-growing herb in a pot in your home. Then you can rub leaves directly on cold sores (or spots where cold sores may form). You can rub it directly into your skin to repel insects or soothe insect bites as well.

4. Mint

You can grow this in a sunken pot because it grows vigorously. Then boil it in tea to soothe stomach cramps, nausea, and flatulence. Also,

For a natural decongestant, place a fistful of mint leaves in a shallow bowl and cover with boiling water. Lean over it, drape a towel over your head, and breathe the steam.

5. Parsley

Put this in a pot that gets a lot of sunlight and be sure the soil is kept moist. This stuff is an immune-system booster. Just eat about a tablespoon of chopped flatleaf or parsley everyday. Doing this also neutralizes mouth odors.

6. Lavender

Plant lavender in a small pot filled with gravel and a light soil. You’ll want to put this plant in a place that gets great sun exposure and makes sure the plant has good drainage. When it grows, use lavender as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Use the oil from the flowers on blemishes or crush a handful of heads and add to boiling water. Use this as a steam bath for your face.

7. Rosemary

Make sure this herb gets plenty of sunshine when you plant it. To soothe winter colds and to help people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), infuse warm red wine with rosemary, cinnamon, and cloves and use as a remedy.

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